How old before you leave kids by themselves?

Jen - posted on 07/04/2009

My SD is almost 13, and my SS is 10. Just this past year we started leaving them home alone for a couple of hours after school (from 3-5). They are both great kids so we trust them-we also had the conversation that we trust them because they have never given us a reason NOT to trust them and once they lose that trust (i.e. do something they are not supposed to) it will be VERY hard to get it back. Made sure they understood that :} I would also suggest checking with your state guidelines to see what the "legal age" is to leave kids home alone. I would assume that your kids are old enough.

Denise - posted on 06/26/2009

My sons 13 and 10 have done well the oldest is vary mature . And the were asked no friends over as well and grat neighbours are awsom also. I check in to see how they are . They have done well. I agree also that it depends on the individual kid.

Ashley - posted on 06/18/2009

I'm in Virginia and the legal age for kids to be left alone is 10 and to be babysitting is 13. We started leaving the kids alone when my SD was 13 and she was babysitting my SS who was 8, at the time. They are 18 and 14 now... and we now have a daughter who is almost 3. They all did just fine. But, I agree that it depends on the individual kid. You may also want to research laws in your area.

Sandy - posted on 06/18/2009

I really thinking it depends on the maturity and the responsibility of the children. However I think it should be taken very seriously. If siblings fight it really would only take a moment for something to go wrong and I know some kids who do really well babysitting other children but not their younger brothers and sisters.

Toni - posted on 06/16/2009

my boys r 10 and 12. they stay home by themselves when i work my three twelves BUT i have awonderful neighbor who is my besy friend and she checks in on them on those days and another friend who has to drive by our house to get to and from work so she swings in. they never check on them at scheduled times so they never know when to expect a drop in. I don't allow them to have friends over in the house. they r allowed to ride their bikes in our neighborhood but have to text or call when they leave and when they get back and we have a local pool thta is open from 1 to 7pm and i am home by then. So far my friend has only caught them with friends over 1 time and they were in the game room behaving playing air hockey and videogames, and the kids left when she asked them to.

Megan - posted on 06/12/2009

The boys have done really well with it. My 14 year old SS has really risen to the occasion and taken responsibility. Their BM doesn't leave them alone for even a minute. She doesn't really like that we do but I think they really rise to our expectations. Sometimes she makes us feel bad for doing it and she calls them a lot to make sure they are okay. Which is fine. Anyhow, I think we are doing the right thing, because our 14 year old really just thrives when he is given responsibility.

Kimi - posted on 06/12/2009

I know a11 year old boy who is very mature and has babysat his 4 year old brother a few times and did just fine. It was always for just an hour or two and his mom would call to see how they were getting along. He also looks after him while their mom naps sometimes. He likes it too. I don't like it when people play the gender card. It's what's inside a person that matters most. Age and gender shouldn't matter mutch at all.

Debbie - posted on 06/11/2009

I agree with Kimi, It depends on your kids. My kids have always been very mature, so they were left on thier own and to babysit the younger ones from about 12, as they got older they then took turns in watching the younger ones. Now my SK's are adults and my bio kids look after each other. My eldest is 12 (almost 13) and she is more responsible than some 16yr olds that I know. She is an awesome babysitter, I leave them with her, (11, 9 and 4) for an hour and half most mornings and whilst I sleep in the holidays, as I work nights. She has recently started babysitting while Dad and I go to our local club a block away. We never go too far away from her, incase she needs us. I tell them what chores they need to have done by the time I get up or come home. I also let them pick a movie to watch and buy munchies. They nearly always get through without any trouble.

Kimi - posted on 06/11/2009

I would say by 9 they can be alone durring the day for up to two hours and by the time they are 12 they should be fine with whatever. Just as long as they aren't left alone durring the nights. If they are afraid than you will need to respect that though. I was babysitting by the time I was 12 but my youngest brother hated being home alone till he was about 15. All kids are differant so you just need to know your kids.